News Summary: 'Fiscal cliff' would hit most in US

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Last Updated: Tue, Nov 13, 2012 22:30 hrs

'FISCAL CLIFF': A package of tax increases and spending cuts that takes effect in January unless Congress passes a budget deal by then.

WHO IS AFFECTED: Everyone who pays income tax — and some who don't —will feel it. Middle-income families would have to pay an average of about $2,000 more next year, the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center has calculated.

HIT TO GROWTH: Up to 3.4 million jobs would be lost, the Congressional Budget Office estimates. The unemployment rate would rise to 9.1 percent. The economy would likely fall into recession next year, the CBO says.